Mass. Chemist Arraigned In Drug Lab Scandal

The former chemist at the center of a drug testing scandal at a now-closed Massachusetts lab has pleaded not guilty to charges including perjury and tampering with evidence.

    Annie Dookhan was arraigned Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court. Neither she nor her attorney commented after the proceeding.

    Attorney General Martha Coakley alleges that Dookhan fabricated test results and tampered with drug evidence in testing substances for criminal cases. Judges have released about 200 defendants from prison in the last few months and put their cases on hold. The state also is reviewing thousands of cases possibly affected by Dookhan's work.

    Dookhan was indicted this week on numerous counts. First arrested in September, she remains free on bail and has a curfew. The judge Thursday extended the hour to 10 p.m.  (Associated Press)